Taking Back Sunday

The 1/7 rule

It’s a day of rest, a day off, a play day, a slow day, a different kind of day for each person. Sunday can be a vital day to recharge, but it’s easy to squander.

3 Ways To Waste Your Sunday

Sleep until you’re hungry, eat until you’re sleepy.

Social media bonanza

Mediocre tv show marathons

We’ve all had Sundays like this, and admittedly, they can be nice. Doing nothing is important, but how you do nothing affects your ability to recharge. In fact, doing something productive on Sunday for part of the day is key to doing nothing the rest of the day, and feeling good about it. And when Monday comes, you’ll be glad you dedicated part of Sunday to all or some of the six items below. I’m not sure who said it, but it’s true: a Sunday well spent brings a week of content.

Try the 1/7 rule. Sunday is one day in seven. If you use 1/7 of your Sunday effectively, the day will be rejuvenating, and your week will go better.

The 1/7 Rule: Things to Do For a 1/7 of Your Sunday

Spend two hours on Sunday (1/7 of the day) on some or all of these things.

10 Minutes of Introspection

We get caught up in jobs and social lives so much that we often fail to do any self-assessment, physically or mentally. Introspection is vital to self-improvement, and self-care.

Avoid Email

Why look at emails that bring Monday closer than it needs to be? Likely, you won’t respond to or act on emails on Sunday, so just don’t open them, and turn off email notifications on your phone.

Prepare a Healthy Meal or Snacks For the Week

Cooking can help slow things down, and nutritious food leads to a better functioning body. Cooking during the week can be stressful, but Sunday kitchens are liberating. Decrease the cooking stress during the week by preparing meals on Sunday and freezing them.

Outfit Planning

Check out the weather for the next five days, and choose a few outfits for the week. Beware, this may lead to doing laundry.

Go Outside

It doesn’t have to be a hike or an intense bike ride or exercise at all, really. Just find some trees, grass, and flowers! Research suggests that exposure to green space restores our capacity to pay attention, along with many other benefits.

Pick a Room, and Clean It

The weight of a work week is somehow lighter when your living space is organized and clutter-free.

Some Sunday Wisdom

“…millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”

-Susan Ertz

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”

[Text Wrapping Break]-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Do not let Sunday be taken from you. If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan.”[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]-Albert Schweitzer

“Sunday. Take it slow and give your soul a chance to catch up with your body.”